Top deck view on the Waverley

After the easy airport transfers in Doha and Dubai, the bus from London Heathrow felt unnecessarily difficult and like it took an eternity. First, the busses didn’t accept payment onboard because they have a prepaid system using Oyster Cards. Then, we learned that the bus station does not sell the Oyster Cards. We had to go down to the tube station to find a kiosk and then guess how much money we needed to put on a card for the one bus ride. With all the confusion, we missed the first bus and waited an hour for the next one. I don’t understand why some cities make public transportation so difficult for visitors. We had a similar fiasco with Sydney’s busses but eventually the bus driver let us pay cash.

Broke out of the hotel for a pub meal in Croydon

We were headed to the Hampton Inn in South Croydon. Sara had some hotel points which we used for a three night stay. As a bonus, the room included breakfast which was a full buffet with everything needed for a proper breakfast. We locked ourselves in the hotel room until we were more caught up on posts from Africa. This website can be quite a bit of work, especially when we have so much action packed into a short period like our African Safari.

As reward for our hard work, we took Megabus to Glasgow, Scotland to visit friends we made at the Full Moon Party in Thailand. While coordinating our visit with our friend, Jamie, he mentioned that we would be going on the Waverley to celebrate a birthday. We didn’t know what that was but we’re excited to have a good time.

Jamie made sure to take us to the Duke of Wellington as soon as we got in town

The bus was almost two hours late arriving in Glasgow and I was worried Jamie had given up on us and went home. Thankfully, he was still waiting at the bus terminal. On the walk to his apartment, we stopped at almost every pub along the way. Jamie was zig zagging us across the town like a true Scotsman giving us a proper arrival. At the last pub full of Scottish drinkers and Scottish music, we met Jamie’s friend Ron. After reminiscing over a few beers, we wandered to Ron’s apartment. He had an extra bedroom which would be better than sleeping on Jamie’s floor. Jamie left us some newly purchased towels and we all planned to have breakfast before our big adventure.

We woke early to get ready for the Waverley (whatever that is). Sara and I just dressed for a day of partying because we figured a day of celebrating in Scotland must be a day of drinking. While enjoying a quick coffee, Ron let the secret out – the Waverley is a boat that does day cruises – cool! We grabbed some breakfast sandwiches from the nearby cafe and piled into a cab hoping to not miss the boat.

At the boat, we met the rest of Jamie and Ron’s friends – all in all there were ten of us on the cruise. Everyone in the group was very nice and each took an opportunity to point something out or explain a local customs to us. We felt really welcomed even though we were really just crashing their birthday party. The birthday supplies were handed out and we were ready to party! The minute the boat left the dock, the beer started to flow, even though it was only 10AM! Sara and I avoided drinking too much by exploring the boat.

The PS Waverley is the last sea going paddle steamer in the world. In the early 1900’s, boats like this took vacationers from Glasgow to the nearby resort islands. The original Waverley was destroyed during WWII and the boat we were on was a replica built in 1947. It was neat to explore the ship and especially to visit the engine room. The engine crankshafts are exposed and I was enthralled watching it go around and around. I was impressed that machinery could be made so precise and powerful back in the 1900’s and that’s it’s still running like new today. We could only imagine the maintenance and engineering it would take to maintain a ship like that!

Hen party singing to birthday girl

We rejoined the group in the main lounge where a band was playing and the room was full of singing Scotts. Sara and I had just sat down when an older lady came up and stated talking to Jamie. He dodged her advances by proclaiming I was an American and she immediately pulled me up to the dance floor. I was quickly surrounded by women wearing costume hats who all wanted a dance with me. Even though it was only 11am, all the women we assumed were part of a hen party were having a grand time. After a few minutes of akward dancing, I managed to sneak away and back to our table. Now I felt like I needed a beer.

Looking up castle street in Rothesay

Rothesay Castle

We continued to have a good time all the way to our destination of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. Most of the ships passengers disembarked there as well. Our group quickly found a classic looking pup and got another round. One of the couples in the group is a member of the Historic Scotland society and suggested we use their pass to see the nearby Rothesay Castle. Even though it was starting to rain, Sara and I took the opportunity as a break from drinking and to explore a castle we would probably never travel to again. Rothesay Castle was mostly ruins but I was impressed that we were still allowed to explore so much of the castle. We even went up on the outer walls where we found a seagull sitting on a nest of golf balls. After I stopped laughing, I felt bad for the poor seagull and its eggs that will never hatch.

Fish and Chips Dinner!

We couldn’t find our group at the pub where we left them and it was getting close to departure time for the boat, so we started heading towards the docks. Along the way, we heard a call from a bus stop waiting area. It was Roy and Jamie and they had fish and chips for us! They were really looking out for us and ensuring we enjoyed ourselves.

During the cruise back to Glasgow, Scotland showed us its true summer weather because it rained the entire way. We kept ourselves entertained in the lounge watching the band and everybody continuing to have a good time.

After a full day on the boat, the Scots still weren’t finished. Jamie, Ron and Lisa took us around Glasgow showing us all the best spots. We enjoyed drinks at a yuppie bar and went dancing at a packed night club! Sara and I were surprised that we were actually able to survive a day and night of Scottish drinking!

The Doulton Fountain and People’s Palace

Although, the next morning we didn’t feel like we survived. After slowly waking to coffee / tea, Ron and Jamie took us on a guided tour of the Glasgow Greens and The People’s Palace Museum. After the rough morning, we were nursed back to health while tasting great local beer at West Brewery. It was a fun weekend that we didn’t want to end, but alas Jamie and Ron had to work the next day. Ron walked us to the bus station to see us off on the overnight Megabus to London. While we were passing through George Square, I was again the object of drunken Scottish women. Other then my good looks, it must be the tone of my skin that makes me a target because they started chanting “not a Scottish tan” as we walked to the bus station.

Our UK adventure continues with a visit to Hastings where we meet Sara’s cousin.

Glasgow Gallery

Broke out of the hotel for a pub meal in Croydon

The Duke of Wellington - always with a cone on his head

Enjoying an American classic at Ron\'s

Waverley - last sea-going paddle steamer in the world

Pulling from the dock in Glasgow on the Waverley

Waverley\'s engine room

Top deck view on the Waverley

Docked at Helensburgh

Docking in Rothesay

Group selfie Photo credit: Lisa

Our favorite classic pub in Rothesay - Argyll Arms

Rothesay Castle

Rothesay Castle

Seagull nest with gold balls

Waverley cruising to the dock in Rothesay

Waverley lounge selfie

Us with the Waverley at Glasgow dock

Glasgow Greens

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